Post by Basil on Apr 1, 2019 16:05:53 GMT -5

It began, as so many things do, with a knock upon the door. Basil answered it, and was not at all surprised to see a cast member there. No doubt it was yet another complaint about his violin-playing, or perhaps the untidy state of his room.

The young lady, however, did not embark on either of those topics; she was clearly agitated when she began, "Mr. Basil, I know this is against the rules, but...I want to hire you."

Moving to the hotel lobby gave the detective a few moments to compose himself, for it would not do to show how shocked and also ecstatic he felt. The cast members had so far repulsed every attempt he'd made to ply his trade at park expense. Perhaps that was about to change.

"Pray, be seated," he said, "And give me the particulars. For all I can deduce is that you are a student of music, not a native to this country, and that you are wearing a name badge that is not your own."

The worried look she wore softened into a temporary smile as she remarked, "You're right, of course. I knew I came to the right place. I borrowed a nametag to hide my real name. We're not supposed to...engage the special guests, like you. I should've known you'd see through it."

It seemed, said she, that a piece of artwork had been stolen from the wall of Club 33 in the Shanghai park. Park security was investigating, but this drawing, an original signed by the parks' founder, was dear to the girl's heart and she could not bear to think it might never be recovered.

After questioning her on a few pertinent details, Basil did his best to assure her he would do his utmost for her. Then it was off to China and an actual case. The game was afoot!

Post by Toad on Apr 2, 2019 20:17:34 GMT -5

Toad hadn't been in this place very long, nor did he quite understand how he got here, or where "here" was, for that matter. But like all great men, he took things in stride. Nothing would upset his equilibrium, even finding himself suddenly in the Orient. now how did that happen?

Ahead was a smallish knot of men in dark suits; Toad would ask them for directions. Though upon approaching, he noted that there seemed to be some small stir in the wind.

"I say," he addressed anyone who would listen, "What is going on here?"

He received no answer; the fellows in black were questioning someone Toad took for a waiter. Asking if he'd noticed any suspicious persons, and such. This sounded like it could lead to some excitement.

Post by Basil on Apr 2, 2019 21:04:12 GMT -5

So this was China, eh? But Basil had no eyes for the charms of an exotic land; he had something else on his mind.

He had left his client some little while ago, as she did not wish it known that she had broken the rules in engaging the mouse detective. Basil paused for a moment to listen in on a few official-looking types questioning a cast member. But only a moment, as he soon determined they were wasting time asking useless questions. Instead, he strolled up the stairs and entered the scene of the crime.

Or tried to. One of the security chaps, for so they proved to be, dashed up to block the way.

"May I see your club membership card, sir?"

"My good sir," Basil replied, "I am not a member. I am here to recover the valuable artwork that's been stolen. My card." He produced a pasteboard square, tiny to the human. As Basil had intended, the shock of his knowing what had transpired stunned the fellow into letting him pass.

Club 33, as it was named, resembled somewhat the gentlemen's clubs of London: lush carpets, mahogany furnishings, elegant appointments. Basil took it all in at a glance, but his trained eye lit upon a slightly discoloured section of the wall. Clearly that was where the stolen picture had hung.

Post by Toad on Apr 4, 2019 20:18:24 GMT -5

Toad saw the rodent gentleman present his card and pass into the room upstairs, apparently an exclusive club. he also heard what transpired:

I am here to recover the valuable artwork that's been stolen.

Ho! He was a detective! Just like those chaps in mystery novels. How exciting! This was something Toad must see first hand.

He darted up the stairs, presented his own card to the guard person, and merely stated, "I am with him." And he was through, just like that.

Pleased with his own brilliant stratagem, Toad glanced about until he found the mouse.

"How d'you do? I heard you speak of a stolen painting. You are a detective, aren't you? I just read a positively ripping detective story." Of course, he hadn't been able to endure the suspense of it, and turned immediately to the last chapter. But it was thrilling. "What clues have you found? Whom do you suspect? Where is the body?"

Post by Basil on Apr 5, 2019 19:51:43 GMT -5

I heard you speak of a stolen painting. You are a detective, aren't you?

Basil tore himself away from his work to see a well-dressed toad addressing him. As a rule, he did not wish to be disturbed while surveying the scene of a crime, so Basil determined to make this conversation brief.

"I am. Basil of Baker Street. Now, if you will excuse me..." And that would be that. Not that he would mind an onlooker or two. An appreciative audience was always welcome.

I just read a positively ripping detective story.

"How nice for you..." he began to say.

What clues have you found? Whom do you suspect? Where is the body?

"What--? There is no body. This is a case of theft. I really do need quiet if I am to concentrate, so if you don't mind..." Was this chap even listening to the answers to his own questions?

Post by Toad on Apr 9, 2019 20:13:44 GMT -5

Ah! A bona fide detective, just like in the book! Toad had found his true calling: he was born to be a detective!

Basil of Baker Street.

"Toad," answered the amphibian, and then added, "Of Toad Hall," presuming that adding one's place of residence was a very detective thing to do.

There is no body. This is a case of theft.

"Oh, yes, of course, of course," all the while eyeing Basil's hat. He would have to get himself one like it. "no doubt a criminal mastermind, bent on world domination! But we'll soon have him behind bars, eh, what?"

Oh, this was jolly good fun! Now he would search for clues. Let's see, what sort of thing did the chap in the book call a clue? Oh, yes, cigar ends!

Toad took himself round the room, scanning the floor, seeking out those telltale butts.

Post by Basil on Apr 14, 2019 13:02:01 GMT -5

Basil rubbed his chin as he surveyed the scene, working out in his mind some possible scenarios.

no doubt a criminal mastermind, bent on world domination! But we'll soon have him behind bars

"Possibly..." he murmured before, "What? 'We'?" Here was a new wrinkle: this fellow apparently wanted the position as Basil's associate, a berth left empty since The Vanisher (as Basil called her) had, well, vanished. Back to her own world, no doubt, a land where everyone could wield uncanny powers.

No one could properly take Dawson's place, of course. But an assistant might be welcome. And it was nice to hear conversation without an accent for a change. Well, why not?

I'm not finding a single cigar end

Basil's reverie was interrupted by that extraordinary statement.

"Of course not. There is no smoking in this establishment!" Though, to be fair, a club without smoking would be unheard of back in England. It was plain that Toad would require some instruction to mould him into the proper shape.

"Observe. The carpet is a jumble of footmarks, impossible to decipher. There is nothing more to be learnt here. Now we must discover how the miscreant managed to abscond with this picture. You see the size of it by the mark on the wall--surely he did not simply stroll out with it under his coat."

Post by Toad on Apr 20, 2019 11:06:23 GMT -5

Really? Was there such a thing? Although Toad did not smoke as a rule, he came from a time when tobacco use was ubiquitous. But that was neither here nor there. The mouse detective continued:

Observe.

At that single word, Toad's head went down to gaze intently at the carpet.

The carpet is a jumble of footmarks, impossible to decipher...

The rest of it seemed to dissipate into a haze of words without signification. Staring at the floor soon lost its charm, and Toad began to wonder about other things. What time was it? Where would he sup? Why did visitors always come by when one was in the bath?

Post by Basil on Apr 20, 2019 13:07:39 GMT -5

This was proceeding nicely. Toad was certainly giving his best attention to Basil's directions, a very important quality in a side kick. Basil had almost forgotten how gratifying it was to have someone to show off to instruct in the finer points of detection.

Where did you get those handsome cuff buttons?

Basil simply stared, open-mouthed, for far too long. Yes, they were handsome; in fact, they were his favourites. But, really, cuff buttons at a time like this!

"They were a gift." Back to reality.

With a sigh of forbearance, Basil turned to the door through which he'd entered to question the security guard. Perhaps Toad would respond better to a demonstration than a verbal discourse.

Through a series of succinct questions, Basil ascertained that there had been a disturbance in the club, an alarm of fire that caused the patrons and staff to rush into the street. The smoke had turned out to be a simple smoke bomb, an obvious ploy to cover the theft. Clever, really.

Post by Toad on Apr 22, 2019 21:19:19 GMT -5

Toad was still thinking of the cuff buttons as he followed Basil to the egress. He would simply have to get himself a pair. Though with his own monogram, of course.

Now, it seemed, they were going to question the witness. Ah, that was more like it! That scene in his book had been fraught with tension. Toad cleared his throat and then leapt into action.

He fixed the guard person with a steely eye before bursting out, "Where were you on the night of the seventeenth?" It was a good idea to spring these questions on them without warning. Made them blurt out things.

Post by Basil on Apr 25, 2019 19:03:38 GMT -5

Where were you on the night of the seventeenth?

Both the security guard and the mouse detective stared at Toad for some minutes following this outburst. The guard tried to splutter out an answer. Basil felt his eyebrow twitch. With a sigh he descended the staircase, intent on getting back to the real detective work.

Once at street level, he gazed round, surveying the scene.

"He is running from the club along with the rest of the patrons," he murmured to himself. "He has the picture under his arm. He must get it to a place of safety without arousing suspicion. And he must do so before the theft is noticed." Speaking the possibilities aloud was often an aid to the cognitive process. "Did he make a dash for the park exit? Return to his hotel?" The only buildings on this street where shoppes and eateries.

An then he saw it.

"Ha!" cried Basil to no one in particular. There, sticking out of a flower bed, was a suspicious stick of wood. Basil pounced upon it, dragging it free. It was a broken part of a picture frame.

Post by Basil on May 4, 2019 13:29:05 GMT -5

The frame was rather heavy for a rodent, but Basil was able to drag this part of it into the open. He measured it with his eye, making certain it was the proper size. Though, really, how many broken picture frames were hanging about in flower beds? Still, it was best to be thorough.

"The thief smashed it on the kerb here," said Basil, pointing to the spot marked by a fresh chip in the cement. But when he turned round, there was no Toad to be seen. What was the use of having an assistant if he wasn't available to wonder at a fellow's deductions? Dawson was always suitably astonished, and it was most gratifying.

Well, now he had to discern the culprit's next action. He had a valuable drawing in hand, easier to transport without the frame, certainly. But he couldn't fold it without lessening its value. It ought to be rolled, though Basil, as he searched the environs for something that would do.

A nearby shoppe sold artwork, posters, and other paper goods. And there in the window display were some lovely pasteboard tubes, just the thing for transporting large papers without damaging them. Basil made for the shoppe and, he had no doubt, his next clue.

Post by Toad on May 6, 2019 15:33:13 GMT -5

The shop was filled with all sorts of lovely things. And it was connected to the next shop, and the next after that. How thoughtful of someone! Now he could peruse the wares in multiple locations without setting foot outside!

First, he purchased a pocket-sized notebook, a very handsome red leather affair. Then a silver fountain pen. Then some sealing wax and a box of paper clips with little gold crowns on them. Which things had nothing whatever to do with detective work, but he really wanted them. He was about question the girl about having the pen monogrammed, when Basil entered the shop. The mouse was a bit behind in this investigation, but it was good to see he was able to follow Toad's lead.

Toad was about to speak when something caught his eye in the next shop over. He raced through the intervening doorway and back in a trice sporting a new deerstalker hat. And looking oh, so detective-like, if he did say so himself.

Post by Basil on May 6, 2019 18:59:49 GMT -5

Yes, Basil noted that Toad was in the shoppe purchasing who-knows-what. But he had no time for such folderol; he was on a case, and time was of the essence.

He questioned the sales clerk, "Have you sold any of those tubes today, Miss? Within the last few hours?"

"Only one," she replied, delighted to be helpful, as per usual. "A man came in with a drawing he bought somewhere else and wanted a tube to carry it in. It's a good idea to protect your valuable artwork, and our mailing tubes are the perfect way to ensure your investment will retain its value for years to come."

Basil cut off her rehearsed speech to ask for a description of the suspect: tall, burly, balding, wearing a flowered Hawaiian shirt.

"Did you happen to note which way he went?" asked the detective.

"No, but he did ask me the closest place to get a latte. I suggested the cafe across the street."

Perfect! The net was tightening upon this thief. Basil was about to dash across the street when he spied Toad returning, and wearing a--

He was speechless for only a moment before: "Put that hat back where you found it at once!" Basil did not appreciate anyone stealing his trademark. With that, he turned and sprinted out the door.

Post by Toad on May 9, 2019 15:09:45 GMT -5

Toad could not fathom what was the matter with Basil. Why should he put the hat back? He stood before the mirror, surveying his reflection. No, the hat looked fine. Even better than fine. It suited him admirably and he fancied it truly made him look the part. Perhaps the mouse thought he wasn't intending to pay. Such a silly idea!

But Basil was gone before Toad could explain, so the aristocratic amphibian merely winked at the girl behind the counter and followed.

He crossed the street after Basil, though he was writing in his brand new notebook while walking and was nearly knocked over by a child's pram. Toad didn't know it however, so engrossed was he in jotting down the particulars of the case thus far.

He entered the cafe, murmured "beg pardon' to two or three patrons whom he collided with, and finally looked up at the crowded interior.

Post by Basil on May 10, 2019 20:42:52 GMT -5

Basil gave the room a swift glance. It was very crowded, impossible to survey all the clientele, especially from a rodent's perspective.

Which one is the thief?

The detective made a choking sound in the back of his throat as he clamped his hand over Toad's mouth.

"Hsst! Do not give us away!" he whispered before turning to the maitre d' with a benign smile. "I do beg your pardon, but I'm looking for a particular gentleman. You see, he dropped his parcel out on the street, and I've been trying to catch up with him ever since. He is a largish fellow, bald-headed, wearing a flowery sort of shirt. Did he by any chance come in here?"

It was a perfectly plausible story; but the cast member asked, "What parcel?"

With his customary rapidity of thought, Basil snatched the shopping bag from the toad's hand and replied, "This parcel."

Post by Basil on May 11, 2019 21:35:29 GMT -5

They were supposed to be inconspicuous. And here was this toad making a scene in public. Really, it was more than Basil could bear!

"Will you kindly be silent!" he scolded. This was no time for a tug-o'-war. Basil ended the fuss in the most expedient way: he let go the parcel and let the chips--and amphibians--fall where they might.

Turning back to the maitre d', he continued as though nothing untoward had occurred, "As I said, we are here to return the parcel to its rightful owner. If you would be so kind as to tell me if you've seen such a man."

That satisfied the cast member, or perhaps he merely wanted to get these two out of the building as soon as possible, but he pointed out a person who matched the description given in the stationary shoppe. And he had a pasteboard tube leaning against his chair.

Post by Toad on May 13, 2019 14:39:54 GMT -5

The struggle was brief, the outcome, never in doubt. Toad emerged victorious, the spoils in hand. He picked himself up from the floor, adjusted his detective hat, and prepared to resume the investigation.

The net tightens

Oh, yes! Toad loved that kind of talk! It was just like Sir Romney Penhallow, the Gentleman Detective in Death Wears a Child's Face. He was always saying things like that.

And now they had the thief in view. My, he was a hardened criminal if ever Toad had seen one. Shifty eyes, rounded shoulders, garish shirt...it all fit. Watching him, Toad had a sudden inspiration.

"I say, Basil...I'll wager the picture is in that tube!" Take that, Sir Romney!

Post by Basil on May 16, 2019 20:08:33 GMT -5

Giving his thanks to the cast member, Basil plucked his ersatz assistant by the sleeve and dragged him round the corner into the dining room and behind a decorative urn. Once out of sight of the maitre d' they were free to plan their course of action.

I'll wager the picture is in that tube!

Basil applied the palm of his hand to his face. Liberally.

"Of course it is inside the tube! That is why we questioned the stationary clerk!" The most elementary points of logic seemed to be beyond Toad. "But we cannot simply take it from him, nor can we accuse a fellow without evidence."

How to get that evidence...Basil came up with four potential methods; it only required a few moments of thought to select the best plan.

Post by Toad on May 20, 2019 20:37:09 GMT -5

Of course it is inside the tube!

It was nice to see they concurred on that point. Whatever else Basil said was lost in the fog that was Toad's brain. He only knew that his rodent helper was once again stalled into inactivity. J. Thaddeus, however, was a toad of action!

Therefore, without further ado, he marched into the dining parlor and accosted the villain to his face: "So, we've tracked you down at last, you fiend! Who is behind your foul crime spree? Is it the Yellow Peril?" He wasn't at all certain what the Yellow Peril was, but it sounded so deliciously mysterious.

"You, sir, are under arrest! What ever possessed you to wear a print with a plaid? The foulest of crimes! Oh, and for stealing a picture." One must have one's priorities in order, what?

Post by Basil on May 20, 2019 21:05:35 GMT -5

Hadn't Basil just said 'can't'? Toad was about to ruin everything with his reckless ways! Why couldn't he simply listen?

The mouse detective had to think rapidly to save the situation. The thief might bolt at any moment.

While his attention was on that insufferable toad--indeed, the restaurant's entire clientele had their attention fixed upon Toad--Basil crept up behind the suspect's chair. The pasteboard tube was leaning there, and Basil was able to loosen the stopper in one end without drawing any notice.

The perpetrator sat stupefied by Toad's outburst, but only for a few moments. He recovered himself, seized his ill-gotten prize, and made for the exit. Of course, the stolen drawing fell out, as Basil had intended.

"Ha!" he cried, pointing a dramatic finger. "That drawing was stolen from the art gallery this very day!" Now there was proof, and a room full of witnesses.

Post by Toad on May 24, 2019 17:39:13 GMT -5

Now that Toad had made his climactic accusation, he settled back with a self-satisfied air and said, "Slap the darbies on him, officer, and take him away." Only there was no officer at hand. Why were the police never about when they were wanted--and always at hand when they weren't?

Ah, well, it gave Toad the opportunity for another memorable moment in the proverbial spotlight.

He leapt up onto the table, upsetting the bread and butter, and shouted, "Stop, thief!" Not very original, but classic.

The chap did stop, though not through anything Toad had done. Two burly chaps appeared, seemingly from the woodwork, and escorted the unhappy felon out with very little fanfare. A bit of fanfare would've been welcome, thought Toad.

Well, he got his wish, it seemed: as he climbed down from the table, the restaurant patrons broke into a volley of spontaneous applause.

Post by Basil on May 24, 2019 19:11:55 GMT -5

Had the criminal been a rodent, Basil should've flattened him with a left jab; as it was, he was content to allow the park's security force to handle that bit of the proceedings.

He unrolled the recovered drawing to have a look. It was rather crude and unfinished, a mere sketch. Was it an early work of Matisse or Rembrandt? No, some chap named "Walt," by the signature. Well, the important thing was to have the goods recovered and the culprit in custody. And the pleasure of having solved an important case.

Handing the drawing to one of the guards, Basil was startled to hear the sound of applause. The diners were cheering him--not the usual for a detective, though it made him glow with pride.

"A lot better show than last year," whispered one tourist to her friend.

"Case solved, eh, Basil?"

Ah, yes. Toad. Basil had all but forgotten him for the moment. He tried to think of some compliment to pay his so-called associate. After all, Basil had turned Toad's ill-timed exhibition into a neat denouement, and quite handily, too. He was about to say something to that effect, when--

Thank you so much for all your assistance. Couldn't have done it without you.

" 'Assistance' !?!" spluttered the detective. "Why, I was the one who followed the clues. I was the one who made the deductions. I was the one who solved the case!"

Toad: Dash: I'm sure we can arrange it so the Parrs's stay in Toad Hall is only temporary. I guess I'll start that other thread to show you what's up with the place. It's only me RPing with my own characters.May 6, 2019 15:21:41 GMT -5